Does HMRC send text messages? The texts HMRC sends in 2026 and the number to report fakes to (60599)

The text messages HMRC is sending in 2026

GOV.UK publishes a page called "Check if a text message you've received from HMRC is genuine", with one section per text campaign. It was last changed on 29 September 2026. The table below has one row per campaign, in the page's order, with the page's own words. Its general rule covers every row: HMRC will never ask for personal or financial information when it sends text messages.

"Not stated" means the section says nothing either way about links. GOV.UK's general line is that HMRC might include a link to GOV.UK information or to HMRC webchat; several campaigns say their texts will not provide any links to websites.

Which number does HMRC text from?

GOV.UK's list gives none. What it does say is how HMRC's branded texts look: they show HM Revenue and Customs as the sender, include the HMRC logo and contain the verified sender's information; on a phone that cannot receive RCS messages, the same text arrives as a standard text message. A text from an ordinary 07 number that claims to be HMRC is not disproved by the number alone, and a text under the name "HMRC" is not proved by it: sender names can be faked; Ofcom's checks on sender names start in July 2027 (see the new UK rules on scam texts). What settles it is what the text asks for.

The number worth remembering is 60599 (network charges apply): HMRC asks you to forward any suspicious text there, or to email it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, then delete it. To see what kind of number an 07 sender is and whether Ofcom lists its block as in use, paste it into the UK number checker.

Real HMRC text or fake? Side by side

The same patterns, judged by HMRC's own words, are on our HMRC scam texts and tax refund messages guide; they are printed here from the same list so the two pages cannot disagree.

If a text asks you for anything, it is not HMRC

GOV.UK's checklist says a contact could be a scam if it rushes you, is threatening, is unexpected, asks for personal information like bank details, tells you to transfer money, or offers a refund, tax rebate or grant. HMRC says it will never threaten arrest, never ask you to pay with gift or payment vouchers, and never ask for personal or financial information by text. If a text does any of those, forward it to 60599 (network charges apply), or to 7726 (how to forward a text to 7726), then delete it; if you have shared details or lost money, our HMRC scam texts guide says what to do next. Not sure? Paste the text into the scam text checker.

Sources

• GOV.UK, genuine HMRC text messages (29 Sep 2026): HMRC (GOV.UK), 'Check if a text message you've received from HMRC is genuine' (updated 29 September 2026): "Branded messages: HMRC may send branded text messages to some of our customers. These will look different to our standard text messages. These branded messages will: show HM Revenue and Customs as the sender; include the HMRC logo; contain the verified sender’s information. ... If your device is not compatible to receive a Rich Communication Services (RCS) message the branded message will appear as a standard text message. Links in text messages: HMRC does send text messages to some of our customers. In the text message we might include a link to GOV.UK information or to HMRC webchat. HMRC will never ask for personal or financial information when we send text messages. We advise you not to open any links or reply to a text message claiming to be from HMRC that offers you a tax refund in exchange for personal or financial details. To help fight phishing scams, you should send any suspicious text messages to 60599 (network charges apply) or email: phishing@hmrc.gov.uk then delete them. Child Benefit: HMRC may contact you by text message to confirm: we have received your Child Benefit claim; we have received your request to extend your Child Benefit claim; you have successfully opted into or out of Child Benefit payments; a change to your account; a claim has been successful. Confirmation and update text messages: HMRC may contact you by text message to confirm that we have received from you: a claim; a form; other correspondence. Corporation Tax — follow up to your Corporation Tax helpline call: HMRC may send you a text message if you have called the Corporation Tax helpline and we have your mobile phone number stored. The message will: give a summary of what was discussed during the call; confirm your query is being processed; give an expected timescale. Debt Recovery: From 15 June 2026 up to and including 14 December 2026 HMRC may contact you by text message. HMRC may send you a text message to tell you: that we have not got your payment and we’d like to help you avoid any further penalties or interest; to call us about a credit on your account; that we’ve asked your bank or building society to hold some money in your business account. Fast parcel operator drivers — interview reminder: HMRC may send you a text message to: confirm that a letter was sent to you about an interview; remind you to book a telephone appointment. The text message will not: ask for personal or financial information; link directly to any websites. International debt customers: From 21 September 2026 up to and including 19 March 2027, HMRC may contact you by text message. HMRC may send you a text message if we have not received your payment. The message will ask you to: check your online account to see what you owe; make any overdue payments to avoid interest; search for ‘non-resident payment enquiries’ on GOV.UK. PAYE Settlement Agreement: From 28 February 2026 HMRC may contact you by text message. HMRC may send you a text message if you have called the PAYE Settlement Agreement Employer helpline to: summarise what you discussed in the call; confirm that your query is being processed; give you an expected timescale. PAYE or Self Assessment complaints: From 27 April 2026 HMRC may contact you by text message. HMRC may send you a text message if you have made a complaint about PAYE or Self Assessment to: tell you that your complaint is being reviewed; tell you that someone will call you the next day to discuss your complaint; explain that when we call you our number may show as withheld. Retirement annuity relief: From 29 September 2026 HMRC may contact you by text message. HMRC may send you a text message if we have written to you about a retirement annuity relief claim. The text message will ask you to: review your retirement annuity relief claim; check the contributions shown on your 2024 to 2025 tax return; correct your tax return if any information is wrong. The text message will not: ask for personal or financial information; include links to websites. Self Assessment penalty appeals: HMRC may send you a text message if you appeal against a Self Assessment penalty. The text message will confirm: that your appeal has been reviewed; when you can expect the outcome. These text messages will not: ask for personal or financial information; provide any links to websites. Self Assessment tax refunds: HMRC may send you a text message if you request a Self Assessment tax refund. The text message will confirm: that your tax refund is being processed; when you can expect to get it. The text message will not: ask you for personal or financial information; provide any links to websites. Survey after a call to HMRC or a compliance check: HMRC may send you an exit survey by text message if you have: agreed to provide feedback after calling one of our contact centres; gone through a compliance check. This text message will not: ask for personal or financial information; include any phone numbers; provide links to websites other than to the survey platform. Tax refund — P800: HMRC may send you a text message saying you’re due a tax refund (also known as a P800 refund) if they’ve sent a letter and have not had a response. It will not: ask you for personal or financial information; provide any links to websites." Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-a-text-message-youve-received-from-hmrc-is-genuine, read on 2026-10-03
• GOV.UK, identify tax scam calls, emails and texts (15 Dec 2025): HMRC (GOV.UK), 'Identify tax scam phone calls, emails and text messages' (updated 15 December 2025): "It could be a scam if it: rushes you; is threatening; is unexpected; asks for personal information like bank details; tells you to transfer money; offers a refund, tax rebate or grant. ... HMRC will never: leave a voicemail threatening legal action; threaten arrest. ... HMRC does send text messages to some of our customers. In the text message we might include a link to GOV.UK information or to HMRC webchat. We advise you not to open any links or reply to a text message claiming to be from HMRC that offers you a tax refund in exchange for personal or financial details. ... HMRC will never ask you to pay with gift or payment vouchers. ... If you’ve been a victim of a scam and suffered financial loss, report it to Report Fraud through their website or to Police Scotland by calling 101 if you live in Scotland." Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/identify-hmrc-related-scam-phone-calls-emails-and-text-messages, read on 2026-10-03
• HMRC, examples of phishing texts: HMRC (GOV.UK), Examples of phishing emails, suspicious phone calls and texts: "We advise you not to open any links or reply to a text message claiming to be from HMRC that offers you a tax refund in exchange for personal or financial details." — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples/phishing-emails-and-bogus-contact-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples, read on 2026-09-29
• HMRC 60599: HMRC (GOV.UK), Examples of phishing emails, suspicious phone calls and texts, updated 15 Dec 2025: "you should send any suspicious text messages to 60599 (network charges apply) or email phishing@hmrc.gov.uk then delete them." — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples/phishing-emails-and-bogus-contact-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples, read on 2026-09-29
• HMRC press release, scam referrals (20 Aug 2025): HMRC (GOV.UK), 'Scams warning as Self Assessment customers targeted' (press release, 20 August 2025): "Concerned customers reported more than 170,000 scam referrals to HMRC in the 12 months to 31 July 2025 — and while that is a 12% reduction compared to the previous year, more than 47,000 of these reports still involved fake tax refund claims. ... HMRC will never: leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest; ask for personal or financial information via text message or email; contact customers by email, text, or phone to inform them about a refund or ask them to claim one. Anyone due a refund can claim it securely via their HMRC online account or via the free HMRC app. ... forwarding suspicious texts to 60599" Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. — https://www.gov.uk/government/news/scams-warning-as-self-assessment-customers-targeted, read on 2026-10-03
• NCSC, forwarding to 7726: NCSC, Report a scam text: "Most phone providers are part of a scheme that allows customers to report suspicious text messages for free by forwarding it to 7726. If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender, if it's found to be malicious." — https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-text-message, read on 2026-09-29

Quotes from GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk, mygov.scot, the NCSC, the ICO and NHS England are used under the Open Government Licence v3.0; material from Ofcom is Ofcom copyright. Other pages are summarised in our own words or quoted briefly, with a link. How we check.